Amid the bustling streets and growing businesses in downtown Sevierville, one challenge continues to loom large for both patrons and shop owners: the scarcity of parking spaces. However, relief may be on the way as local authorities are considering the construction of a multi-story parking garage, a joint effort proposed by the City of Sevierville and Sevier County.
According to WVLT News, the parking predicament has been a persistent topic among business owners like Ronel Raicsics, who runs a jewelry store downtown. "This conversation has been coming up a lot, and like, we were literally just discussing that before you walked in the door," Raicsics said, noting the direct impact on customer footfall due to the issue. Representative Tyler Basler also pointed to times when the courthouse, a focal point of the town's activities, exacerbates the situation, "Parking around the courthouse is already at a premium. You know, there’s days where we have jury pools of up to 200 that can be here at any given time, as well as the busy hustle, hustle and bustle of the courthouse as it is," Basler told WVLT News.
A recent study recommended the addition of a three to four-story garage that would supply several hundred new parking slots, a move designed to support future business expansion. While the project is still in the early planning stages, with potential sites under review, officials are strategizing to ensure any new structure seamlessly integrates with the downtown area's flow. "Right now, we’re just kind of in the initial phases reviewing the plan, looking at possible locations of the garage, of where it might be, strategically and cohesively, making sure that still flows downtown," Basler explained.
Furthermore, discussions of the garage have centered around the logistical and financial aspects of such an endeavor. A county spokesperson revealed to 6 News the projected cost per parking spot, landing somewhere between $30,000 to $35,000. Officials are evaluating diverse locations to find the most practical site for the garage. They are hopeful to finalize plans within the next six to 12 months, with the ultimate goal of forging ahead through a cooperative effort between the city and county.
Sevier County's Mayor Larry Waters and Vice Mayor Bryan McCarter recently took part in a workshop held by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen to weigh in on the matter, as recounted by The Mountain Press. The consensus is clear: a downtown garage could significantly alleviate the tight parking situation that local entrepreneurs and their customers face daily. In the interim, business owners like Raicsics are set to continue battling for accessible parking, a tribulation shared by everyone who ventures into downtown Sevierville for work or leisure.
